WEll, if it's a 2003 you're looking at, I HIGHLY recommend the 2.3 Duratec PZEV engine model. They come in the ZX3, the ZX5 and the Sedan models (I'm not certain of the Wagons).
I also highly recommend doing your research on median costs - check out http://www.edmunds.com
This will help you figure out what the vehicle you are looking for is truly worth.
My next suggestion would be to ask the dealer that you're working with to run a Carfax report on ANY car you're looking at to see what history may have been reported *remember, if the car was in an accident and it was NOT reported, then it will not show on the CarFax report. ***The dealer should give you these for FREE!
Have a FORD dealer run an OASIS report on it so you can see any warranty work done as well as the basic maintenance done by Ford.
Do you know if you're looking at a manual or an automatic trans?
If it's a 2003 - try to shoot for a car with the average milage or less (US drivers average 10-12,000 miles per year) this figure varies from region to region, but is a good way to tell if the car you're looking at has been driven an excessive amount.
Ask for maintenance records - they aren't a necessity, but it's great if you have them.
Ask if it was a program car (rental, lease etc.) if it was a rental, I'd stay away from it because those cars can be highly abused.
Pick what you like - if the dealer won't help you get into that car, don't take it - go to another dealer. If they won't negotiate a decent price, go to another dealer. I give sales reps 3 strikes and they're out - three trips to their GM to get sales approval for a price and then I leave.
Don't buy it the day you look at it. Make them work for your sale - right now is a great time to buy because they need to get cars off the lot for the new model year.
If you have more questions, feel free to email me or send me a PM I love shopping for cars - it's a sport for me.
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
